Flex raise machine



March 1o, 1970 R, D. FINCH ETAL 3,499,205

FLEX RAISE MACHINE Filed Feb. 2'?, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 :Rig -E A Il 'lll"' Lr l1 l,

RICHARD D. FlNcH I' BY CARL G MATHEW;

\ lo 8 LM 2 March 10, 1970 R. D. FlNcH ETAL 3,499,205

FLEX RAISE MACHINE l Filed Feb. 27, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RICHA RD D. FINCH BY CARL G. MATHEWS f March 10, 1970 R, D, FINCH ETAL i 3,499,205

FLEX RAISE MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS f1? El CARL G. MATHEWS United States Patent O 3,499,205 FLEX RAISE MACHINE Richard D. Finch, Tacoma, Wash., and Carl G. Mathews, Slidell, La., assignors to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 27, 1967, Ser. No. 618,983 Int. Cl. B23p 19/04 U.S. Cl. 29-203 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to apparatus for changing the position of the current conducting flexes in horizontal stud Soderberg electrolytic reduction cells for the production of aluminum from current conducting connection with one stud to another. The apparatus includes means for compensating for and adjusting to any warpage or mislocation of a stud. The apparatus will unbolt the connection and slide the bolt and flex from the stud. The liex and bolt are then raised to the next stud and the copper ex and the base of the stud are cleaned. The bolt is cleaned and lubricated and the bolt and flex are slid into position and bolted up tightly. The apparatus then proceeds on to the next position where the cycle may be repeated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the production of aluminum by the conventional electrolytic process, the electrolytic cell comprises in general a steel shell having disposed therein a carbon lining. The bottom of the carbon lining along with a layer of electrolytically produced molten aluminum which collects thereon during operation serves as the cathode. One or more consumable carbon electrodes is disposed from the top of the cell and immersed at its lower extremity into a layer of molten electrolyte which is disposed in the cell. In operation, the electrolyte or bath, which is a mixture of alumina and cryolite, is charged to the cell and an electric current is passed through the cell, from the anode to the cathode via the layer of molten electrolyte while oxygen collects at the anode. A crust of solidified electrolyte and alumina forms on the surface of the bath and this is usually covered over with additional alumina.

In the conventional electrolytic process, use has been made of two types of electrolytic cells, namely, that commonly referred to as a pre-bake cell and that commonly referred to as a Soderberg cell. With either cell, the reduction process involves precisely the same chemical reactions. The principal difference is one of structure. In the pre-bake cell the carbon anodes are pre-'baked before being installed in the cell, while in the Soderberg cell or self-baking anode cell, the anode is baked in situ, that is, it is baked in operation of the electrolytic cells, thereby utilizing part of the heat generated by the reduction process. The instant invention is particularly applicable to the Soderberg cell. More specifically, since Soderberg cells may be further broken down into horizontal stud and vertical stud Soderberg cells depending upon whether or not the current transmitting studs imbedded in the anode material are more nearly horizontal or vertical, the instant invention may be more particularly described as applicable to the horizontal stud Soderberg cell. Flexible connectors known as flexes run between each stud and the positive or incoming bus bars and conduct the current from the bus bar to the stud and hence into the anode.

During the operation of the electrolytic cell, the bottom of the Soderberg anode is gradually consumed. Provision is made for the gradual lowering of the anode as it is consumed to maintain the desired anode-cathode ICC distance. Fresh paste is added to the top of the anode and is baked out as it proceeds downward. During the operation of the Soderberg cell, as the anode is consumed it periodically lbecomes necessary to disconnect the current conducting iiexes from the bottom row of studs as they become too near the bottom of the anode and remove the bottom row of studs. To maintain current connection the flexes are raised to a higher row of studs and attached thereto.

At the present time, this work is normally manually performed by work crews working under adverse conditions. During the operation the workers effecting the change are exposed to radiant heat gas and dust from the cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an advantage of the instant invention that it can quickly and efficiently perform this position change of the current conducting flexes. It is a further advantage of the instant invention that it can compensate for any warpage or mislocation of the stud in the Soderberg anode. It is a further advantage of the instant invention that it provides a self-contained system such that the work crews are not exposed to such adverse conditions. Because of this, improvements will result in environmental and physiological conditions, labor and operating efficiencies and safety.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This invention relates to apparatus for changing the position of the current conducting flexes in horizontal stud Soderberg electrolytic reduction cells for the production of aluminum from current conducting connection with one stud to another. The apparatus comprises a first boom rotatably and pivotally mounted on a platform having means thereon for engaging a fastener securing a iiex to a stud and for removing and fastening the fastener. A second boom is rotatably and pivotally mounted on the platform, the two booms Ibeing movable toward and away from one another. Means are mounted on the free end of the second boom for engaging the tiex so as to support the flex when unfastened from the stud. Means are also provided for positioning the booms first adjacent one stud and then adjacent a second stud whereby a flex may be unfastened and removed from the irst stud and then moved to and fastened to the second stud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings are illustrative of an advantageous embodiment of this invention as applied to aluminum reduction cells.

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view partly in section and with parts removed for purposes of clarity of an apparatus embodying the principles of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view partly in section and with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an axonometric projection partly in section and with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 is an axonometric projection of a portion of the apparatus embodying the principles of this invention in relation to the studs and flexes of a Soderberg electrode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now more particularly to the drawings in which the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts, the embodiment of the apparatus shown comprises in general a platform 10. Suitable means such as a vehicle mounted on wheels 12 are provided for moving the platform from position to position. A drivers station and related control instruments is indicated generally at 14. Various hydraulic, electrical, and pneumatic power means are indicated generally at 16. A first boom 18 is provided on platform 10 having means thereon such as wrench 20 for engaging a fastener securing a flex to a stud and for removing and fastening the fastener. As shall be more fully explained hereinafter, boom 18 is rotatably and pivotally mounted on platform 10. A second boom 22 is also rotatably and pivotally mounted on platform 10 so that the two booms are movable toward and away from one another. As shown in the figures, the two booms 18 and 22 may be moved toward and away from one another through suitable means such as piston and cylinder assemblies 24 and 26. Piston-cylinder assembly 26 is mounted on boom 18 and piston-cylinder assembly 24 is mounted on boom 22 so as to push one boom away from the other. Both may be moved or more simply, one may be moved relative to the other. Wrench assembly 20, preferably, comprises a nut socket 28 rotatably mounted on the free end of first boom 18 and suitable power beams indicated generally at 30 such as a chain drive for rotating the nut socket. Suitable means such as guide fork 32 and pocket 34 are provided on the free end of second boom 22 for engaging the flex so as to support the flex with flex bolt and washer attached when unfastened from the stud.

The two booms 18 and 22 are mounted by means of six pins 36 on a first carriage 38. As can be seen in the drawings, the six pins 36 are split into two groups of three with the three pins 36 in each group being horizontally disposed and in vertical alignment. The center pin 36 of each group supports the first boom 18 and the two outside pins 36 in each group support the second boom 22.

First carriage 38 is reciprocatingly mounted on a second carriage 40 by means of rollers 42 and guide bearings 44 which travel in and along tracks 46 mounted `on second carriage 40.

The arrangement of upper tracks 46 and lower tracks 48 is such that when the first carriage 38 is at its innermost point of travel, lugs 50 and 52 extending on each side from first carriage 38 engage sockets 54 and 56 mounted on second carriage 40. A suitable power device such as motor 58 is mounted on second carriage 40 so that when the lugs 52 and 50 engage sockets 54 and 56 the motor 58 can turn socket 54 so as to elevate the first carriage 38 in a vertical arc. In the embodiment shown, socket 56 is free turning and just supports lug 52, but if desired, power could be supplied to it also. Second carriage 40 is mounted by means of side base member 60 attached through a pivot pin indicated generally at 64 to a third carriage 66 so that the second carriage 40 can pivot about the vertical axis of pivot pin 64 and thus move with it the first carriage 38 and first boom 18 and second boom 22 so as to correct for horizontal misalignment of a stud.

Side arms 68 and 70 of second carriage 40 are pivotally attached to side base member 60 by means of pins l72 so that second carriage 40 can also pivot about a horizontal axis through pins 72 to correct for misalignment in a vertical arc of a stud. This movement of second carriage 40, of course, moves first carriage 38 and first boom 18 and second boom 22 with it and in this way effects the compensation for misalignment in a vertical arc of a stud. Side base member 62 of second carriage 40 is mounted on third carriage 66 by means of ram and cylinder assembly 74 attached to extension plate 76 of third carriage 66. The activation of ram and cylinder assembly 74 causes the movement of second carriage 40 about the horizontal axis through pins 72.

Third carriage 66 is mounted on platform 10 in guide rails 78 by means of bearings 80 for reciprocating motion in a vertical direction through suitable power means such as chain drive 82. The vertical reciprocation of third carriage 66, of course, carries with it second carriage 40, first carriage 38 and first boom 18 and second boom 22 and thus moves the booms 18 and 22 from one stud to another in a vertical column.

As shown in FIGURE 3 an abrasive blast directing nozzle housing 84 may be mounted on second boom 22 for cleaning the surfaces of the flex and studs and the threads of the flex bolt with an abrasive material. If desired, a similar means may be provided in the same nozzle housing 84 for providing a lubricant for lubricating the threads of the flex bolt.

With reference to the drawings a typical operation of the apparatus according to the instant invention shall now be described. Platform 10 is brought into alignment with a stud 101 by Ameans of wheels 12. The booms 18 and 22 which have been positioned in the up-travel position, i.e. in a vertical plane are then rotated downwardly by rotating first carriage 38 through lugs 50 and 52 which are engaged in sockets 54 and 56 with power being provided by motor 58. The booms 18 and 22 are then extended outwardly by reciprocating first carriage 38 horizontally outward with respect to second carriage 40 by means of rollers 42 and guide bearings 44 on tracks 46 and 48. The second carriage 40 is adjusted as necessary in the manner described hereinabove so as to correct for any horizontal misalignment or misalignment in a vertical arc of a stud. During this operation first boom 18 and second boom 22 are spread apart to enable the boom assemblies to slide over the flex 102. First boom 18 is then moved over through piston-cylinder assemblies 24 and 26 so that nut socket 28 and wrench assembly 20 can engage the flex bolt nut 103. The connection is then unbolted through power means 30 rotating nut socket 28. The two booms 18 and 22 are again spread apart which will slide the bolt 104 and flex 102 from the stud 101. The assembly is then elevated by elevating third carriage 66 in guide rails 78 through drive mechanism 82 on platform 10 to raise the flex to the next row of studs, and to position the booms 18 and 22 from adjacent one stud to a position adjacent a second stud, and in this way raise the fiex and bolt assembly to the next stud as shown in phantom line 106 in FIGURE 4. The fiex and stud are then cleaned with an abrasive blast from nozzle housing 84 if desired. The bolt is lubricated through a lubricant from nozzle housing 84 if desired, and the bolt and fiex are slid into position on the stud. The two booms 18 and 22 are then moved toward one another by means of piston-cylinder assemblies 24 and 26 so that the nut is in position to be screwed to the bolt. Nut socket 28 is then rotated by power means 30v so as to fasten the nut fastener to the bolt portion of the fastening assembly. When this is accomplished the two booms 18 and 22 are once again spread apart and lowered, and then drawn back into the retracted position wherein lugs 50 and S2 engage sockets 54 and 56 respectively. The booms 18 and 22 are then rotated in a vertical arc to the up-travel position, and the apparatus is ready to move on to the next vertical column of studs where the operation may be repeated if desired.

It can be seen that the novel apparatus according to the instant invention is a self-contained system which will perform the now tedious job, relying to a substantial extent on manual operations, of unbolting and disconnecting the flexes from one row of studs and connecting them to the next higher row of studs simply and efficiently. Improvements will result in environmental and physiological conditions, labor and operating efficiencies and safety.

While there has been shown and described hereinabove a possible embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that various changes, alterations and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, although three carriages have been described to provide the various movements of the ap- Paftus, Other means may be used to provide these move ments. Similarly, the booms could be telescopically adjustable in length instead of being reciprocatingly mounted for movement toward and away from a stud. The two booms could have a common trunk mounted on the platform and just the free ends of the two booms could be pivotable toward and away from one another. Accordingly, the instant invention is not to be limited except by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for changing the position of the current conducting exes in horizontal stud Soderberg electrolytic reduction cells for the production of aluminum from current conducting connection with one Lstud to another which comprises:

(a) a platform;

(b) a first boom rotatably and pivotally mounted on the platform having means thereon for engaging a fastener securing a iex to a stud and for removing and fastening the fastener;

(c) a second boom rotatably and pivotally mounted on the platform, the two booms being movable toward and away from one another;

(d) means mounted on the free end of the second .boom for engaging the ex so as to support the ex when unfastened from the stud;

(e) means for positioning the lboom rst adjacent one stud and then adjacent a second stud whereby a ex may be unfastened and removed from the first stud and then moved up to and fastened to the second stud.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the free ends of the two booms are pivotable towards and away from one another.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fastener engaging means comprises a nut ysocket rotatably mounted on the free end of the rst boom and means are provided for rotating the nut socket.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flex support means mounted on the free end of the second boom is provided with means to support the flex with the ex bolt attached when removed from the stud by the two booms moving away from one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the booms are mounted on a carriage positioned on the platform for reciprocating movement in a horizontal direction so as to move the booms toward and away from a reduction cell.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage is rotatably mounted on the platform for rotation in a vertical arc.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage is positioned on the platform for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction so as to move the booms from one stud to another in a vertical column.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided on the free end of the second boom for cleaning the surfaces of the flex and stud.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein means are provided on the free end of the second boom for cleaning the surface of the eX.

10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein means are provided on the free end of the second boom for lubricating the threads of the ex bolt.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided for moving the platform into proper position relative to a vertical column of studs.

12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage is pivotally mounted on the platform for pivotal movement about a vertical axis so as to correct for horizontal misalignment of a stud.

13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage is pivotally mounted on the platform for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis so as to correct for misalignment in a vertical arc of a stud.

14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the carriage is reciprocatingly -mounted on a second carriage positioned on the platform for reciprocating movement in a horizontal direction so as to move the booms towards and away from a reduction cell.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the carriage is rotatably mounted on the second carriage for rotatio in a vertical arc.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second carriage is pivotally mounted on a third carriage positioned on the platform for pivotal movement about a vertical axis so as to correct for horizontal misalignment of a stud.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the second carriage is pivotally mounted on the third carriage for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis so as to correct for misalignment in a vertical arc of a stud.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the third carriage is positioned on the platform for reciprocating movement in a vertical direction so as to move the free ends of the booms from one stud to another in a vertical column.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l, 884, 874

THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 29-240 

